Question

read paragraphs 4 and 5 from the passage.

4 by the mid - 19th century, mormon immigrants had made their way across the colorado river. legend has it that these pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure, joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched in supplication, guiding the travelers westward. however, this tale is not substantiated in the historical record. some evidence suggests that the biblical figure joshua, and the joshua trees, represented the mormon conquest of the desert. instead of the branches resembling outstretched arms in prayer, perhaps the trees sharp, blade - like leaves brought to mind the arrayed forces of joshuas army.

5 concurrent with mormon settlers, ranchers and miners arrived in the high desert with high hopes of raising cattle and digging for gold. these homesteaders used the joshua trees limbs and trunks for fencing and corrals. miners found a source of fuel for the steam engines used in processing ore.

which sentence best states the central idea that is shaped by the underlined details?

a. the joshua tree is adapted to survive in the high desert environment, but people are not.

b. there are stories about how the joshua tree was named, but they are not substantiated by specific evidence.

c. the joshua tree symbolizes the determination of settlers and homesteaders in the high desert.

d. immigrants to the high desert used the blade - like leaves of the joshua tree to protect their settlements.

Explanation:

Answer:

C. The Joshua tree symbolizes the determination of settlers and homesteaders in the high desert.